Composite materials

Ensinger Composites focuses on continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic materials, which under many aspects outperform their competitors, thermoset composites or short fibre reinforced thermoplastics. Their potential can be fully exploited with a deep understanding and right combination of their basic components.

What are Composite Materials?

Composites are a class of materials created by the systematic combination of two or more different materials. Usually, fine particles or fibres of one material are embedded into another, referred to as the matrix. This means that the individual properties of the starting materials can be combined to a composite with a customised and unique set of material properties.

Composite materials have become a necessity for high-end applications in many markets.

Examples of composite materials are combinations of endless glass or carbon fibres with a polymeric matrix such as epoxy resin. Those materials find application in different fields and are portrayed as state-of-the-art. A more recent family of composite materials are the so-called "thermoplastic composites“, which sport a thermoplastic matrix instead of a thermoset one.

THERMOSET VERSUS THERMOPLASTICS properties

The different physical and chemical properties of thermoplastics, compared to thermosets, lead to engineered composites with unique properties:

increased impact toughness

increased compression after impact (CAI)

low moisture absorption

high chemical resistance

weldability

lightweight

tailored mechanical properties

intrinsic recyclability as material

no VOC emission during processing

unlimited shelf-life

potential for short cycle times

potential for cost reduction

potential for automation

Through the use of continuous, oriented fibres (e.g. unidirectional or woven fabrics), composite parts have much higher specific strength and stiffness than short fibre reinforced or unreinforced plastics.

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